Smirk & Dagger Games, known for cutthroat games with strong “take that” mechanics, is launching Smirk & Laughter, a new line of lighter fare more suited to casual players.  In March, the first game in the new line, Nut so Fast, will release, with the second title, Before There Were Stars… releasing in August.

The new imprint allows the company to better distinguish these lighter, more casual games from its traditional fare. Two games have been announced for the Smirk & Laugher line.

Nut so Fast is a speed-driven party game for three to six players.  Two cards are flipped over, revealing pictures of four wacky nuts or a number.  If the nuts show up, the fastest player to grab the matching token scores, but if it’s a number every player has to strike the “Nutty Pose” that matches it.  Nut so Fast was created by Jeff Lai (Draconis Invasion), and features artwork from Chris McCoy.

The game comes with 12 nut tokens, 72 nut cards, 3 number cards, 18 Nutty Pose cards, and 6 divider cards, packaged in a window-front box that showcases the wacky nut tokens.  Intended for 3 to 6 players, ages 8 and up, Nut so Fast takes about 20 minutes to play.  MRSP is $19.95.

In Before There Were Stars… players take on the role of storytellers, spinning a tale of mythical creation.  Using the Constellation cards, players create stories about the creation of the world, civilization, and their greatest heroes.  Players earn points for the most creative story moments, rather than only their skill at storytelling.

Before There Were Stars… includes 24 star dice, 80 constellation cards, 6 story mats, 6 cloth bags, 120 star beads, and a sand timer.  Suitable for 3 to 6 players, ages 14 and up, games take about 10 minutes per player.  Final MSRP has not been set but is expected to be around $39.95.

The Smirk & Dagger side of the company will not be neglected with the change, with the Cthulhu-themed Tower of Madness releasing in June (see “Don’t Lose Your Marbles While Researching Cthulhu”).